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Shea Weber's wrist shot as nasty as his slapshot

Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber is known for his 106 mph slapshot. But Weber’s wicked wrist shot is quite a weapon as well, as evidenced by the goal he scored Tuesday in the Predators’ 4-1 win over Buffalo.

But Weber's wicked wrist shot is quite a weapon as well, as evidenced by the goal he scored Tuesday in the Predators' 4-1 win over Buffalo.

Taking a nice drop pass from Colin Wilson at the top of the faceoff circle, Weber zipped a perfectly placed wrist shot past the glove hand of Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth. That goal put the Predators ahead 2-1 early in the second period and proved to be the difference-maker in the Predators' victory.

"Everybody thinks about the slapshot, but probably (Weber's) wrist shot is, to me, his most effective shot," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "When he gets in there on top of the circles and snaps it off, it's the most effective, and I think he can place it better. But he can loosen you up with a couple of slapshots, I know that."

Nashville Predators' Paul Gaustad (28) pushes the jersey into the face of Buffalo Sabres' Zenon Konopka (24) as he throws a punch during a fight in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, March 11, 2014. Nashville won 4-1. (Photo: Gary Wiepert AP)

Nashville Predators' Shea Weber (6), Colin Wilson (33), Craig Smith (15) and Eric Nystrom celebrate a goal by Weber during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, March 11, 2014. (Photo: Gary Wiepert AP)

Buffalo Sabres left winger Matt Ellis (37) reacts to a celebration of Nashville Predators left winger Eric Nystrom (24) and defenseman Shea Weber, right, after Weber scored during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, March 11, 2014. Nashville won 4-1. (Photo: Gary Wiepert AP)

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Lively homecoming: It was a lively homecoming of sorts for Predators center Paul Gaustad, who played seven full seasons for Buffalo before he was traded to Nashville in 2012.

Gaustad dropped the gloves with Buffalo forward Zenon Konopka midway through the second period, in retaliation for a low Konopka hit that upended Predators forward Viktor Stalberg. Gaustad wound up with a two-minute instigator minor and a 10-minute misconduct in addition to his five-minute fighting major.

"I think he kind of took a little bit of liberties on Stalberg, but I give Konopka credit for standing in there," Gaustad said. "It's respectable for a guy to fight like that.

"(Sticking up for a teammate) is something he would probably do for any of his teammates. That's the kind of the thing we do around here. Guys have been sticking up for each other all year."

Gaustad got the last laugh, scoring an empty-net goal to clinch the victory.

Back-to-backs this season? Trotz chose to use Carter Hutton in goal against Buffalo on Tuesday, opting not to use Pekka Rinne after Rinne played Monday.

But Trotz hasn't ruled out using Rinne in future back-to-backs later this year. Nashville has four more sets of back-to-backs, including this weekend, when the Predators play at Chicago on Friday and at home against St. Louis on Saturday.

"There's a scenario where he could go back-to-back, but we'll see," Trotz said. "We won't deal with hypotheticals yet."

Bourque back: Forward Gabriel Bourque returned to the Predators lineup on Tuesday after sitting out Monday as a healthy scratch.

Trotz said he has to see more consistency in Bourque's game.

"He's good when he's fast, he's on the puck and he's finishing his checks and coming off on the right side of the puck —and he's not turning it over on the boards and in the neutral zone," Trotz said. "When (consistency) is not there, he has to come out. He deserved to. When he's on, he deserves to stay in."

Sissons earns praise: Trotz had high praise for rookie center Colton Sissons after Nashville's win over Ottawa. Sissons had just been recalled from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.

"He's a very reliable player — very smart and very detailed," Trotz said. "I would say if he was with us another week or so, he might have been out there at the end of the (Senators) game. The way he plays in terms of his detail and game-management skills and ability, I would feel comfortable. He's a real solid player."

Trotz said the 20 year-old Sissons, a second-round draft pick in 2012, plays with a maturity beyond his years.

"He understands how the game has to be played on the NHL level – not like a junior or a college player," Trotz said. "He thinks the game like a pro, which is half the battle. Once you figure that out, you can survive in this league and be productive. If you don't, you struggle with your consistency."